Field Thistle

Field thistles have many stunning large pink flowers that attract diverse pollinators and are a favourite of bumble bees, blooming from late summer into fall. Field thistles are biannuals and will self-seed in the right conditions. They grow between 70 cm to 1.80 tall.

Growing Conditions: 

Full to partial sun in dry to moist soil. Specialized to grow in poor and disturbed soils. 

 

Relationships:

Field thistles are ecological powerhouses. As a pollinator magnet, they attract various bees and butterflies and provide pollen to many pollen-specialist bees that rely on them to collect pollen for their larvae. Field thistles are the host plant for the painted lady butterfly and countless moth species. Goldfinches and many other birds devour their seeds.